Norristown Names New Police Chief

NORRISTOWN, PA — After a months-long, nationwide search that included hundreds of candidates, dozens of interviews, and a lengthy vetting process including public town halls, Norristown has selected its new police chief.

Philadelphia Police Inspector Derrick Wood was named Norristown's next chief during a municipal council work session on Tuesday night, earning the job over the other finalist, South Brunswick, New Jersey Police Lt. Frank Lombardo.

“Inspector Wood has the training, the experience, and the community support to lead the Norristown PoliceDepartment. Council looks forward to Wood being a key figure in the Norristown community as we allwork together to keep our town safe,” Council President Derrick Perry said.

Wood will replace Chief Mark Talbot, who led the department from 2013 to 2021 before accepting a police chief position in Virginia.

Wood has been with the Philadelphia Police Department since 1998, earning the sergeant rank in 2004 and inspector in 2017. He currently manages more than 800 officers and civilian staff in his position, which is the third highest rank in the department after commissioner and deputy commissioner.

In Norristown, Wood will be charged with leading 70 officers and 30 civilian staff.

Wood earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Holy Family University, and was trained at both the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute of Policing in Boston, the municipality said.

Wood will be sworn in following a clean background check on a date in the near future. An exact date has not yet been announced.